Laura Lynch, Founding Member of The Dixie Chicks, Dies at 65
Laura Lynch, founding member of The Dixie Chicks, who are now called The Chicks, has passed away at 65 years old. She died in a car accident on December 22 while traveling on a highway in El Paso, Texas. She was killed in a head-on collision and police are now investigating the incident.
Lynch was a founding member of the group in 1989. The women, sisters Martie and Emily, Robin Lynn Macy, and Laura created the bluegrass band and were inspired by the 1973 song “Dixie Chicken” for their name. In 2020, the group, now consisting of members Emily Strayer, Martie Maguire, and Natalie Maines changed their name to The Chicks due to negative connotations with the word Dixie.
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Current members shared a statement after the news broke of Lynch’s death. They wrote, alongside a throwback video of the group performing in the 1990s, “We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks. We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and traveling together.”
They continued, “Laura was a bright light…her infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band. Laura had a gift for design, a love of all things Texas and was instrumental in the early success of the band. Her undeniable talents helped propel us beyond busking on street corners to stages all across Texas and the mid-West. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this sad time.”
Lynch left the group in 1995 after they had recorded three albums. She quit music and moved to Mineral Wells, Texas to raise her daughter, Asia. In 1997, she married an old family friend named Mac Tull after running into him at an open house.
Queens of Country
November 2019
Get your toes-tapping as we give a nod to the queens of classic country music.
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